Li Yundong watched the little girl gaze at him with a look of pitiable appeal, standing rooted to the spot, afraid to step closer. In ordinary times, with no one around, she would have already cried out in delight and rushed into his arms.

Li Yundong asked curiously, "Chan'er, what is it?"

Hearing the intimate way he addressed her, Su Chan’s body trembled slightly, a flicker of intense longing showing in her eyes. She took two quick steps forward, but stopped short again when she was only an arm's length away from him, hesitating as she looked at Li Yundong, whispering softly, "Are you still the Akṣobhya Buddha... or are you my Yundong?"

Only then did Li Yundong grasp the depth of the little girl's worries and reservations. His heart softened like spun silk. He extended an arm and drew her pliant waist into an embrace.

Li Yundong affectionately pinched the little girl’s nose and murmured, "Silly girl, what nonsense are you thinking up?"

The little girl greedily inhaled Li Yundong's familiar, masculine scent, feeling a sliver of ease settle in her heart. She thought to herself: My Yundong is still this affectionate with me, perhaps I was overthinking things?

Su Chan pouted, making a face at Li Yundong, her expression filled with grievance. "Don't you know that Buddhas and demons are irreconcilable? You, the reincarnation of the Akṣobhya Buddha—what if one day you 'transcend' me, this little fox spirit?"

Li Yundong burst out laughing, planted a kiss squarely on her cheek, and said affectionately, "You little fool. I may not have known in a past life, but in this one, I know only one thing: I am an ordinary man, and you are a little fox spirit. This ordinary man only loves you, the little fox spirit. Do you love me or not?"

Su Chan tilted her head back, her eyes darting about, then suddenly laughed with mischievous glee. "That sounds nice, but I need to hear your true heart!" With that, the little girl pressed her face against Li Yundong's chest and said sweetly, "Tell me. If you lie, I can tell, you know!"

Li Yundong chuckled softly, lowering his head, gazing at the girl before him with adoration. He spoke gently, "Little one, do you know what I’ve been doing these past few days within the three thousand minor worlds of the Burning Finger Alms Bowl?"

Su Chan turned her head slightly, blinking, and asked, "What did you do?"

Li Yundong gently stroked the little girl's cheek and said softly, "I searched for my true self, moving from one minor world to another. But no matter which minor world I entered, I found that 'Master' and 'Little Girl' could live happily together. In the end, I chose a world where only they existed, besides Master and Little Girl, and quietly watched them live a life envied even by immortals. Year after year, day after day, Master and Little Girl never felt weary, nor did I ever feel monotony. On the contrary, watching them so happy filled my heart with sweetness and fulfillment, especially when I recalled the hardships we endured together."

Saying this, Li Yundong took Su Chan’s soft hand into his palm and smiled, saying, "Even if all the gods and Buddhas in heaven opposed us, I would never leave you, you little fox spirit. Will you leave your Master?"

Su Chan was deeply moved, her eyes shimmering. She looked at Li Yundong tearfully, then suddenly smiled, though tears rolled down from her eyes. She murmured devotedly, "The Little Girl will never leave you, unless you one day grow tired of me and cast me aside! If that day ever comes, even if you wish to 'transcend' your Little Girl, I will willingly let you do it!"

Li Yundong chuckled, pulling the little girl tightly into his embrace, speaking as if soothing a child, "Silly girl, if I wanted to 'transcend' you, would I need to wait for some future day? I'll do it right now!" With that, he grinned mischievously and reached toward Su Chan’s chest.

Su Chan burst into laughter, covering her chest tightly with both hands, giggling, "Naughty! You had such a solemn and dignified look just now, and now you’ve become so lewd! Stop it!"

Li Yundong stiffened his expression, speaking righteously and solemnly, "Nonsense! I am still solemn and dignified now! This is the most crucial matter of continuing the lineage—what is lewd or high-class about it? Are you saying all high-society people in this world abstain from such matters?"

Su Chan covered her chest with one hand while using the slender, onion-like finger of her other hand to gently trace Li Yundong’s face, giggling, "Master is so thick-skinned! Aren't you ashamed!"

Li Yundong smiled faintly, suddenly opening his mouth and snatching her finger into his mouth with a swift, bird-like snap, lightly pecking the tip of her finger with his tongue.

That tiny warmth made the little girl jump. She gasped in surprise and instinctively tried to pull her hand back, but as soon as it moved, she held still, as if unable to bear withdrawing it.

Su Chan’

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